Slate paths, stacked logs and naturalistic planting have brought this west London garden BACK TO LIFE
GARDEN makeover
Having transformed their kitchen and added wall-to-wall glass doors, the owners of this urban plot were keen to tackle the underwhelming view out on to their empty garden. “There was nothing on this Chiswick site but a small lawn and a couple of shrubs,” explains designer Stefano Marinaz (stefanomarinaz.com).
Boundaried by a row of tall conifers at the rear and overlooked by neighbouring houses, the garden felt hemmed in and exposed. The plot was also north-facing, with dark and shady areas.
Fans of Stefano’s naturalistic approach to design and planting, the owners knew his ideas would work with their keen interest in nature, and bring their plot to life. “The owners had just refurbished the rear-facing kitchen and wanted to look at a beautiful garden, even during the colder months when it isn’t possible to use the garden,” Stefano remembers. “They wanted to have an outdoor dining and separate lounge area to entertain family and friends while enjoying a different view of the garden.”
BEFORE
SHAPING THE SPACE
Faced with a blank canvas and a typical long and fairly narrow urban plot, Stefano’s challenge was to bring some structure into the space, along with seasonal interest, while creating a haven for its owners as well as wildlife. His design sited the outdoor living areas away from the house, in a spot that enjoyed sunlight from midday till evening. “And it would be immersed among the plants and nature,” he adds.
“I wanted to create a sense of discovery,” he continues. “A meandering path was key to our new layout, extending the garden’s apparent length, linking the house to its far end, and seeming to stop effortlessly by the dining table and seating area on the way.”
The path gently varies in width, widening by the dining and lounge areas. Subtly edged with steel and laid with blue slate, the ribbon-like path has an inviting, tactile charm. Including lengths of split slate among the slate chips cleverly helps to highlight nearby planting, while adding variety and a change in rhythm to the surface.
